Due to the increase in gas, electricity and heat tariffs, protests swept across Ukraine. Hundreds of disgruntled people block highways in Poltava and Kharkiv regions. The rise in prices for light from January 1 rose to 50%, for gas – by 14%, for heat – also up to 50%.
Experts explained that while the gas was bought in Russia, it was cheap – but now it is supplied “as if from Europe” at European prices, which, accordingly, caused a rise in the price of electricity and heat, RIA Novosti reports.
The increase in electricity tariffs was adopted back in 2015. But, according to Poroshenko's decree, privileges were in effect for 5 years, and now they have been canceled, as planned.
Experts believe that the price of electricity is still half the real price. They also forecast further price increases.
Gas prices in Ukraine have been raised to historic highs, the opposition said. The prime minister of the country believes that they are overstated and instructed the Ministry of Energy and the Antimonopoly Committee to investigate the situation.
